3ph post pounder

[IndyIan]

Make sure you get the HD posts, I pulled a LD one out this weekend with the FEL and without really thinking put the bucket down a bit farther than needed and the post bent instantly even pushing from the middle of the post...
Also if you've never run a FEL on a tractor before I don't recommend the first project involve someone standing near the loader trying to hold a t-post. Its too easy to jerk the loader the wrong way and I'm still surprised by the power of it, you'll be able to fold posts at idle speed without trying at all. Also your parking brake won't even slow the tractor down if you have an HST in Low or Mid range, so maybe put the tractor in N or your feet away from the pedal if someone is near the loader, I've hit the Fwd pedal by reflex as its the brake pedal in my car and gave a tree a nice scar from the loader...

What would be neat is a post holder that contained the top 3 or 4' of the post to keep it from bending and then you just push the bucket down to ground level with no need for someone to stand up there.

 

[jshwhite]

Make sure you get the HD posts, I pulled a LD one out this weekend with the FEL and without really thinking put the bucket down a bit farther than needed and the post bent instantly even pushing from the middle of the post...
Also if you've never run a FEL on a tractor before I don't recommend the first project involve someone standing near the loader trying to hold a t-post. Its too easy to jerk the loader the wrong way and I'm still surprised by the power of it, you'll be able to fold posts at idle speed without trying at all. Also your parking brake won't even slow the tractor down if you have an HST in Low or Mid range, so maybe put the tractor in N or your feet away from the pedal if someone is near the loader, I've hit the Fwd pedal by reflex as its the brake pedal in my car and gave a tree a nice scar from the loader...

What would be neat is a post holder that contained the top 3 or 4' of the post to keep it from bending and then you just push the bucket down to ground level with no need for someone to stand up there.

Yes, forgot to mention that - if you hit hard ground or rocks, don't keep pushing. You can bend or even break a post by pushing too hard. Tried putting one into some hard dry ground with a big skid-steer once - bent the post right over. Shouldn't be a problem if you have decent soil though.

Never had a problem with using the HST. I just keep my foot on the rocker pedal and rarely even need to touch the brake. I've done a lot of work with the tractor and never had any problem. In my opinion, don't put it in N. To me it seems like a lot better control (and safer) to just feather the HST pedal and not bother switching back and forth from pedal to brake. Not criticizing, just my opinion.

I like the post holder idea. Maybe a FEL attachment that had a feeding system - load a bunch of posts in it, go along, push a post in, pull off of it and the next post drops in the holder. Hmm...sounds like a fun building project

 

[pickeringchris]

Great idea guys. I am pretty mechanically savy and could come up with something. I have something pictured in my mind as we speak. It would utilize a swivel arm that will find its own plumb and a magnet to hold the tpost in the tube. Having a real hard time thinking of an auto load system. Now that would be tricky. I wouldn't need it though. Just have a helper load the new post then back away.

 

[pickeringchris]

Looks like this is already invented.

http://www.bucketdriver.com/DRIVER-PRICES_c_1.html

 

[jshwhite]

Looks like this is already invented.

DRIVER PRICES

That's great! Thanks for posting this. You know, it would be really easy to just to take one of those hand drivers and convert it. In fact, I've got two of those hand drivers, so I'm just going to take one of them and make this out of it. At least sometime anyway

Thanks again for the idea.

 

[pickeringchris]

Looks like they use a spring for friction to hold the post in. Way smarter than a magnet.

Btw. I have been looking online for hours trying to find 1.33 lb galvanized posts. None here in Canada at the farm stores I visited have them. If anyone know of a place in NY state within 1 hour of buffalo please let me know. I hate the painted ones.

Chris

 

[k0ua]

Never had a problem with using the HST. I just keep my foot on the rocker pedal and rarely even need to touch the brake. I've done a lot of work with the tractor and never had any problem. In my opinion, don't put it in N. To me it seems like a lot better control (and safer) to just feather the HST pedal and not bother switching back and forth from pedal to brake. Not criticizing, just my opinion.

I second the motion of keep the HST in gear.. dont get in the habit of going to neutral. It can roll away with you pretty quick..best to just feather the hydro pedal. or lay your foot on the brakes.

James K0UA

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Looks like they use a spring for friction to hold the post in. Way smarter than a magnet.

Btw. I have been looking online for hours trying to find 1.33 lb galvanized posts. None here in Canada at the farm stores I visited have them. If anyone know of a place in NY state within 1 hour of buffalo please let me know. I hate the painted ones.

Chris

Contact a vineyard supply dealer. If your near Buffalo then I am sure you know there are a lot of vineyards in Canada and NY around here. You would probably have a better chance of finding these post in Canada though as the Canadian growers in the Niagara region use more t-posts then we do on this side of the lake.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

a quick search found this dealer in Ontario you may want to contact

Niagara fruit and Vegetable

Also here is a list of other dealers and companies you may find useful

Vineyard Industry Suppliers

 

[Jerry/MT]

Anyone heard of a commercially made or home made "T post" pounder? I have seen the big post pounders online. I was thinking something small.

Cheers

I have a Worksaver hydraulic driver that has a "T" post sleeve that will drive them. I use a regular hand driver for my "T" posts. They're like $30 at farm stores. I haven't use the hydraulic on "T" posts because the handrivers are so easy to use and cheap. I have 2 miles of fence lines and rocky ground.
You'll have some bucks in it if you get a pneumatic driver and quite frankly I can't see they are worth it unless you contracting for the highway department.
Your $'s, your choice.